Dungourney jockey Michael Kenneally impresses in Listowel

Cork jockeys enjoyed a productive afternoon on day five of the harvest festival at a sun-drenched Listowel.

Lisgoold jockey Paul Townend landed the day's featured race for Willie Mullins with Last Kingdom in the iconic silks of JP McManus. They combined to take the €60,000 Listowel Races Supporters Club Lartigue Hurdle as Mullins landed the day's featured race for the second consecutive day. 

He'd been a winner on his only start in France, but he hadn't set the pulse here initially in Ireland. He finally found his mojo with an impressive victory on Easter Monday in Fairyhouse. 

Townend was always to the fore and struck the front on the run to the second last. He kicked for home at this juncture and the 15/2 chance gave generously to beat Puturhandstogether by two- and three-quarter lengths.

The runner-up also sported the McManus silks and he'd landed the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Speaking in the parade ring afterwards Townend felt the application of cheekpieces was pivotal. His hurdling was slick and he travelled like a winner from a good way out. 

The invaluable contribution of Townend can't be underestimated as he dictated the tempo and set the fractions.

Dungourney jockey Michael Kenneally landed the opener on the day's most impressive winner Carrigmoornaspruce.

She was the best-backed horse all day. 

She was backed in the ring from 5/6 into 8/13 to make a winning debut over hurdles. Trainer Declan Queally had taken yesterday's opening maiden hurdle in similar fashion. 

Carrigmoornaspruce made most leading on landing after jumping the first hurdle. Michael Kenneally gave her a positive ride to win by just over five lengths.

INVALUABLE

Doneraile jockey Darragh O’Keeffe struck aboard the second-season novice Mossy Fen Park. His experience from last season was invaluable as he took the Thorn Plant Hire Beginners Chase. 

He'd finished second in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse in March. He'd also run well last November behind Firefox on his chasing debut. He'd won a point-to-point but was always seen as an embryonic chaser.

O'Keeffe tracked the pace and moved into second place on the run to the second last. Despite proving to be a market drifter, his layers feared the worst as he appeared going easily as they swung in. 

He assumed control from the long-time leader Hitak approaching the final fence and before staying on well to beat Oscars Brother by two lengths. The runner-up is the horse to take out of the race and he looks a certainty for a beginners chase going forward.

O'Keeffe said: "He had two good runs over fences last season. He then had a setback but strengthened up well since and I'm delighted for him to go and do that."